If you're looking for a fast and fluid way to view and manage your mobile from your computer, SCRCPY is the open source tool that is sweeping the world among developers, trainers, and those who provide technical support. In this guide, you'll learn how to install it on Windows, connect it via USB or WiFi and adjust key options such as resolution, frame rate and recording.
Unlike an emulator, SCRCPY does not replicate the system, but Stream your Android's real screen to a PC window, with very low latency, high quality, and no root required. All with full keyboard and mouse control. drag files into the window, captures on the fly and without leaving anything installed on the phone when you finish.
What is SCRCPY and why is it worth it?
SCRCPY, also known as Screen Copy, is an open source project by Genymobile and its original author rom1v that allows you to view and control your Android device from the desktop. Works on Windows, macOS and Linux, and its philosophy is to be light, fast and without annoying additions.
The workflow is simple: the computer communicates with the mobile phone using ADB, sets up a small temporary server on the device and sends the video in real time for instant decoding. This translates into a surprisingly fluid experience, ideal for debugging. apps, give presentations, record demos or simply use your mobile phone from your PC.
Compared to other solutions, its strong point is that It does not require installing permanent apps on the phone or rooting it., and offers quality with low latency even on modest equipment. It also incorporates useful actions such as copy and paste text between computers, drag files into the window and take screenshots with keyboard shortcuts without complications.
The tool works via USB or a local network via TCP/IP. You can start with a cable for the initial setup, and if you're satisfied, switch to wireless to work freely while the device and PC are on the same network.
Another added value is its customization: from limiting resolution and FPS to record the screen to an MP4 file with a simple flag. In Linux, there are even advanced options like HID keyboard mode or use the camera as a webcam in specific cases.
Requirements, download and installation
To use SCRCPY, your device must be running Android 5.0 or higher and have USB debugging enabledOn your computer, you'll need a working ADB, which on Windows is usually included in the SCRCPY package itself.
Enabling USB debugging is very easy: go to Settings, enter About phone and tap Build number several times until the developer options are enabled; then, Open Developer Options and enable USB DebuggingThe first time you connect your phone to your PC, you'll need to accept the computer's fingerprint.
The download depends on the operating system. On Windows, simply download the package from the project repository, unzip it, and run the binary from the folder. There is no complex installer or extra wizards.
On macOS, the most convenient way is to install it with Homebrew or MacPorts using the commands common system issues. On Linux, you can use your distro's package manager, which makes it easy to get SCRCPY up and running in seconds and keep it updated from repositories without additional effort.
- Windows: Download the 64-bit or 32-bit package from GitHub and unzip.
- MacOS: use Homebrew with
brew install scrcpyor MacPorts withsudo port install scrcpy. - Linux: For example,
apt install scrcpyon Debian or Ubuntu, orpacman -S scrcpyin Arch.
If you're running Windows, you may need to install or update the ADB drivers. You'll find the ADB binaries in the package itself, and if needed, you can launch them. adb.exe and make sure the system detects the phone when you connect it via USB.
Connect your phone to your PC and start using SCRCPY
With everything ready, the first Boot It's as simple as connecting the device with a USB cable and running scrcpy in a terminal located in the program folder. A window with the phone screen will open instantly., and you can interact with your mobile phone using your computer's keyboard and mouse.
The first time you plug in your device, Android will ask you to authorize USB debugging for that device. Accept the request, and if you're going to use it often, mark always allow for this computerThis way, you'll avoid future confirmations.
If you notice that the wired connection drops out when you move the phone, the problem may be the cable. It is recommended to use a quality cable so that Don't miss the session in the middle of work and avoid headaches during presentations or demos.
In addition to controlling your phone, you can drag files from your PC to the SCRCPY window to transfer them. It works with documents and, In many cases, also with APKs to install applications directly, saving time when testing builds.
To take a screenshot instantly, simply use Ctrl+S on Windows or Linux, and Command+S on macOSCaptures will be saved according to the default settings, which is great for documenting evidence.
Connection via TCP IP on the same network
If you prefer to work wirelessly, SCRCPY offers wireless connectivity via TCP/IP within your local network. First, connect your phone via USB, enable ADB over TCP/IP, and then change the session to WiFi.
The basic process is like this: run adb tcpip 5555, disconnect the USB and then launch adb connect IP-del-dispositivo:5555. From there, you can open scrcpy wireless and continue managing the phone from the PC as long as they are both on the same network.
SCRCPY also allows a direct connection using a single line if you already know the mobile's IP. For example, you can use scrcpy --tcpip=192.168.1.1:5555 for the tool to try establish the wireless session without intermediate steps. Make sure to replace the IP with that of your actual device.
Remember that WiFi stability may depend on your network's coverage and saturation. If you notice stuttering or micro-interference in the picture, try to get closer to the router or use the 5 GHz band to improve transmission fluidity.
Finally, you can always go back to the cable if you need the lowest possible latency in demanding environments, since USB is usually more consistent when every millisecond counts in real-time debugging or demonstration sessions.
Advanced settings and useful commands
SCRCPY includes flags to tailor the experience to your system and what you want to do. If you're looking to prioritize fluidity, you can limit the resolution or FPS; if you need documentation, activate screen recording to a file with one parameter. Here are the most commonly used options.
To limit the maximum resolution and ease the load, use -m o --max-size. For example, scrcpy -m 1280 reduces the image to 1280 pixels on the longest side, while scrcpy --max-size 1024 o --max-size 720 are common alternatives if you want to go lighter.
If you need to fix the frame rate, use -fps. For example, scrcpy -fps 30 sets a frame rate of 30 FPS, which saves resources and can improve stability on less powerful computers or busy networks.
To record what happens on screen, add --record followed by the file name. A practical example is scrcpy --record archivo.mp4, With which You will generate an MP4 video perfect for demos and tutorials without resorting to capturers.
If you already know the mobile IP and want to start wireless suddenly, scrcpy --tcpip=IP:5555 Simplify the process, as you saw before. To list all the available options, see help with scrcpy --help or check out the documentation on GitHub of the project.
Extra features in Linux
In Linux environments, there are additional features that can make a difference. For example, you can enable a physical keyboard via HID with scrcpy --hid-keyboard, which also has a short version scrcpy -K. This is useful if you want to send events as if they were from your own hardware.
In addition, there is the possibility of taking advantage of a webcam in specific scenarios when you connect the phone to the PC, although This is a feature available only on Linux. and oriented to specific use cases.
Beyond these flags, remember that SCRCPY supports copying and pasting text between your PC and mobile, which makes it faster to type long URLs or pass code snippets without typing on the touch screenA small detail that saves a lot of time.
The default quality is usually excellent. If you need it, the documentation describes how to adjust additional parameters, such as bitrate, to prioritize detail or performance. In any case, Starting with the default settings is usually sufficient. for most scenarios.
Use cases and practical tips
SCRCPY shines in a multitude of real-world situations. For developers, it allows you to showcase live builds, debug interactions, and show the status of the app to colleagues or clients without having to point a camera at your phone. Cleaner and more immediate.
In the commercial field, you can use it to demonstrate applications in pre-sale, with the confidence that the mouse and keyboard control It will make the experience very comfortable for the presenter. And if you need to record the demo, with the right flag, it'll be done in a second.
For consultants, trainers and educators, it is perfect when giving classes, recording video tutorials or project your mobile screen in the classroom from a PCAll you need is a reliable cable or your Wi-Fi network, and you have a solution with no payments, no ads, and no installation on your phone.
In tech support, seeing what's happening in real time helps diagnose problems. You can ask the other person to enable USB debugging and, with their permission, connect, show steps and guide precisely without wasting time describing menus over the phone.
A very useful extra is being able to drag files and APKs into the window to copy or install them. This gesture simplifies transferring documents and testing new versions of an app, and avoid having to search through the browser Of the device.
Tips and troubleshooting
If SCRCPY doesn't detect the device via USB, check that debugging is enabled and that the phone displays the authorization request. On Windows, confirm that ADB sees the phone as adb devices; if it does not appear, update or reinstall the drivers and try another USB port.
To improve wireless stability, place your PC and phone on the same network and avoid network congestion. If performance isn't satisfactory, limits resolution with --max-size or lower the FPS -fps to relieve your computer's network and CPU usage.
For long presentations, consider recording with --record as a backup. This way, if something goes wrong during the live session, you'll have a clean copy of the screen stream to share it later with your audience without repeating the demo.
Remember that SCRCPY doesn't require root and doesn't leave any traces on your phone, making it a safe option for corporate environments or shared computers. Still, Disable USB debugging when not in use if you work with strict security policies.
If you want to check out the full catalog of options and use cases, the official documentation on GitHub is the reference. There you'll see all the flags, notes by operating system, and news that are coming to the project with each version.
You have a lightweight, free, and very powerful solution for mirroring and controlling your Android on your PC. With its low latency, simple commands for adjusting quality, the ability to connect via USB or Wi-Fi, and features like dragging and dropping files or recording, SCRCPY has become the reference tool for those who want to work comfortably with their mobile phone from the desktop.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.